Oxford in Oita

Next Saturday (June 18th) the Oxford Kids Tour is coming to Oita.

Details available at:

http://www.oupjapan.co.jp/events/summertour/schedule.shtml#shikokukyushuokinawa

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ETJ Oita Workshop

The next workshop will be on Sunday November 14th at Compal Hall, Oita City. The workshop will be from 18:30 – 20:30.

Details

Presentation: Checking Comprehension / Checking Understanding
(Simon Goddard Weedon)
This short presentation will look at different ways to make sure students are understanding the language the see, hear and say.

Discussion:
It’s the end of the year as we know it! Please bring one idea or story from your 2010 classes. In small groups, we will share ideas, stories and challenges.

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ETJ-Oita / Oita JALT End of Year Workshop

The final workshop of 2009 will be held on Sunday November 29th at Compal Hall, from 18:30-20:30.

This will be a biggy!! 2 rooms and 4 presentations, 2 presentations will run at the same time so you can choose which one to attend!

Presentation Info:

Using Literature to Teach “Empathy” to Medical Students

“Empathy” is an important term in medicine, but it is an abstract concept that is difficult to define, even for native English speakers. This presentation reports on a course that was taught to fourth-year Japanese medical students. The goal of the course was to deepen students’ understanding of “empathy” using English readings of poetry, fiction and non-fiction. This presentation outlines the methods and materials used, and the results of a student questionnaire that was given at the end of the course.

Sean Chidlow is a lecturer in the Department of Medicine at Oita University. His field of research is the Medical Humanities. Specifically, he is interested in the methods of using literature to teach concepts that are relevant to the field of medicine.

 

Using mind maps to promote critical thinking in writing and debating

In advanced English classes where debate, discussion and research papers are used as assessments, students need critical thinking skills in order to succeed in these tasks. This presentation will examine the adoption of a mind mapping software, rationale, that was introduced into and Advanced English II class at APU in order to enhance students writing, and debating skills. Building on the literature of the value of critical thinking mind maps, the authors examine how electronic mind-mapping can be used effectively in the classroom to promote student’s debating and writing skills.

Lindsay Mack is a lecturer at APU where she teaches Advanced English classes. Her research interests include: critical pedagogy and academic writing.

 

Testing your tests – do they achieve what you want them to?

Teachers of all persuasions incorporate some kind of testing into their classrooms. BUT, …… do the students and teachers always get the maximum benefit from these. The presentation will look at the difference in style and approach for placement, assessment, diagnostic and achievement tests and will suggest a number of approaches designed to motivate students

Simon Weedon is co-founder of ‘E’ English School, and teaches at Meiho Junior/Senior High School. He is Coordinator of ETJ-Oita and is a monthly columnist for The Daily Yomiuri.

 

Classroom Activities for Eigo Note and Beyond

With the introduction of English as a set class for 5^th and 6^th Grade Elementary School students, teachers are now faced with a unique opportunity, and also a challenge. The presentation will feature a range of immediately useable classroom activities for participants to take to their own classrooms.

Etsuko Minami is Vice Principal of Higashi Wasada Elementary School in Oita City. She is an active ETJ Committee Member with a keen interest in promoting English education at Elementary School level.

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